Townrootz

Pick one problem you solve for the neighborhood Talk to people Show up to local development meetings,SB 304 takes effect January 1, and Jack London Square enters a new era. We break down what the law changes, why the waterfront still feels under-served, and what types of businesses Oakland residents keep leaving town to find. If you own a business or want one, you will learn where to start, who to talk to, and how to move early in a market that has open space right now. Jack London has TONS of potential. There is too much open retail space there. There is a great opportunity for a combination of local and national businesses. Use national chain restaurants to bring value dining dining for families and bistros for our “foodies” - they can serve different customers and co-exist. Add in an Apple Store and we would really have something. Emeryville has one. Berkeley has one. Oakland does not. Our local small business owners could sprinkle into this ecosystem and thrive. Wouldn’t you want to be 2 doors down from the Apple Store. Stick around til the end to get a clear what to do next plan if you want space in Jack London Square before the rents skyrocket.

We dive deep into the departure of the A’s—and how Oakland entrepreneurs can monetize from it. There is lots to unpack here. Rather than mourning what’s gone, we flip the narrative, unpacking why this moment might be the biggest business opportunity Oakland’s small-business community has seen in years. We explore how the city’s remaining teams—the Oakland Ballers, Oakland Roots, and Oakland Soul—are building a new kind of sports culture: one rooted in community, accessibility, and local partnerships. If you’re a food vendor, creative, retailer, or service provider, these organizations represent open doors—not closed gates. We break down exactly how to approach these teams, what kinds of offers work, and why showing up with value first is the key to lasting partnerships. But this episode doesn’t stop at sports. We explore how festivals, block parties, and youth sports weekends can become revenue engines for local brands. From creating your own mini-event to designing family-friendly offers during tournament weekends, we provide actionable, step-by-step tactics you can implement today. Ultimately, this episode isn’t about losing a team—it’s about gaining perspective. By the end, you’ll see how Oakland’s business owners can lead the next era of “game day,” built not around stadiums, but around community energy, creative collaboration, and a shared commitment to keeping dollars circulating locally. If you’re ready to stop waiting for opportunity and start creating it, this is the playbook you didn’t know you needed. Stick around until the end where we talk about the importance of being proactive: show up with value, give to get.

In this episode we sit down with Stephen and Anna, the founders of Merritt Ceramics, to uncover how they turned a small pottery corner in an Oakland warehouse into a thriving 6,000 sq ft creative community. From humble beginnings funded by restaurant tips to hosting Merritt Fest and managing over a hundred members, their journey is a masterclass in blending art, grit, and entrepreneurship. They share how free community nights evolved into full courses and memberships, the lessons learned from opening (and later closing) a supply shop, and what it really takes to keep a creative business alive post-COVID. “It’s dirty and messy... there’s a lot of business-y stuff that we knew nothing about — but we learned by doing.” Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or community builder, this episode is packed with honest insights on growth, resilience, and purpose-driven work. Be sure to stick around until the end to hear how Stephen and Anna rebuilt their business after COVID, what they’d do differently today, and the one piece of advice they give every aspiring studio owner.

Ever wonder how a real estate guru pivots into offering the best coffee in Oakland? This week, we sat down with Ethan Ashley, the mastermind behind Kilovolt Coffee, and let me tell you, his story is not your typical grind. Ethan takes us behind the scenes of building a successful coffee business, sharing the gritty realities, unexpected challenges, and the unwavering passion that fuels his success. Get ready for a raw, unfiltered conversation that'll leave you buzzing with inspiration and a serious craving for a perfectly brewed cup. Ethan’s secret to success… “I've seen businesses come and go, and the ones that thrive are the ones that genuinely care about their community and their people. Don't just chase profits; build something meaningful that adds value to the lives of others.” This isn't just about coffee, it's about community, resilience, and forging your own path. Stick around until the end where you'll hear Ethan share about his new brick-and-mortar store in West Oakland and launching a mobile coffee van. Key Takeaways: Community is King: Kilovolt Coffee thrives on local loyalty and genuine connection with customers.Motivation Beyond Money: Invest in your people - happy employees translate to happy customers. Find ways to support your staff and their passions.Opportunity in Oakland: Turn the negative media narrative into your opportunity, Oakland is ripe with entrepreneurial potential.Pay Yourself First: Ensure you're taking care of yourself amidst the challenges.

Dive into the unfiltered world of how to be an Oakland real estate entrepreneur with Andrea Gordon! From a failed theater production to a $70M empire, hear her secrets to success, the importance of truthful advice, and why she believes real estate is a political act. Discover how she navigates the market, and how receiving coaching has meant everything to her success. If you’re curious about entrepreneurship, real estate, or simply love a story of perseverance and growth, this episode is for you. Andrea’s journey is filled with resilience, creativity, and authenticity. She opens up about how that failed theater production shaped her success, why real estate is more than just transactions, and how her entrepreneurial mindset allows her to thrive in a competitive industry. Andrea Gordon runs her real estate business like a true entrepreneur. With an average of $70 million in sales annually, her business is powered by a small but highly effective team that includes assistants, coordinators, and a virtual assistant. She prioritizes authenticity, truth, and client care, while using her background in theater and sales to connect with people on a deep level. "You better be prepared to understand marketing—how you get yourself out there into the world—because no one’s going to hand anything to you on a silver platter." Learn her unique perspective on women in real estate, managing client expectations, and why she loves Oakland. This episode is packed with actionable insights, no-BS advice. Be sure to stick around until the end to hear Andrea discuss the importance of real estate transactions for everyone.

#075 - Brian Lyons was a longtime employee of Transports, Oakland’s beloved independent running and swimming specialty store located in Rockridge. When the owner wanted to retire, there was no buyer and the store was in danger of closing. Brian stepped up, cobbling together the required investment from personal savings plus friends and family to buy the store. What started as a part-time job for Brian evolved into a life-changing opportunity to carry on the legacy of a community staple. Brian gets real about the pressure, the hustle, and the heart it took to save the store from closure, survive a rocky first year, and build a customer-first culture rooted in knowledge, service, and movement. This episode is a deep dive into local entrepreneurship, resilience, and the human side of business ownership. Transports is a locally owned and operated specialty store in Rockridge focused on fitting customers with high-quality running and swimming gear through exceptional customer service and expert product knowledge. What sets the store apart is the hands-on, personalized approach—each staff member is an athlete in their own right and is trained to guide customers through gait analysis, proper fitting, and gear selection with care and integrity. “It’s not a store where you have to go find some guy… someone’s gonna approach you, ask you questions, but they’re also gonna listen to you.” Be sure to stick around until the end to hear Brian discuss what it means to trust your gut, even when the stakes are high.

#074 - YaVette Holts, founder of Oakland based BAOBOB, the Bay Area Organization of Black-Owned Businesses shares her personal journey, the origin story of BAOBOB following the Ferguson protests, and her deep passion for helping Black businesses thrive through advocacy, connections, and culture. BAOBOB is a membership-based merchant association that uplifts Bay Area Black-owned businesses by creating revenue opportunities, fostering community partnerships, and engaging in policy advocacy. Through events, curated marketplaces, and city partnerships, BAOBOB is a powerful bridge between entrepreneurs and systems. YaVette builds bridges between entrepreneurs and city government officials. She runs impactful programs like OakTalk and Small Business Week events. “Sometimes the only thing standing between someone’s potential and their success is the right connection—and I live to make those happen.” YaVette’s work is rooted in community love and strategic activism. Listen in for bold insights, practical solutions, and a refreshing take on what it really means to support small businesses in Oakland.

#073 - In this heartfelt and insightful episode, we sit down with Maisha Pulliam, founder of Skin by Maisha, a thriving skincare studio in Oakland’s Laurel District. Maisha shares her journey from mixing homemade skincare concoctions as a child to building a 17-year-old brick-and-mortar business that prioritizes health, healing, and belonging. Maisha opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the pivot that saved her business during the pandemic, and the deep pride she feels serving the Oakland community. Whether you're into skincare, building a business, or just love good storytelling—you won’t want to miss this one. Skin by Maisha is a holistic skincare studio in Oakland offering customized facials and skin treatments for adults, teens, and even pre-teens. Maisha’s team helps clients with acne, aging, discoloration, rosacea, eczema, and more—while fostering confidence and self-love. “I tell people all the time: I don’t care how many things you try—keep trying until you find your purpose. Keep going until you hone in on your gift.”

#072 - In this episode of the Townrootz Podcast, we sit down with Tomika Jones, founder and CEO of DRVA, a mobile roadside assistance company that’s making help on the road faster, safer, and more accessible. What started as a frustrating personal experience became the spark for a business that empowers drivers and service providers alike. DRVA is a mobile roadside assistance platform offering on-demand help for drivers experiencing flat tires, battery issues, lockouts, and more. Through its app, users connect directly with nearby, verified service providers, bringing speed, transparency, and peace of mind to roadside support. Tomika shares how she turned a moment of vulnerability into a thriving tech-enabled solution that connects drivers with trusted roadside help. After being stranded on the side of the road for hours waiting for help, Tomika knew there had to be a better way. That moment became her mission. “I didn’t want anyone else to feel the fear and frustration I felt that day. That’s where DRVA was born.” Tomika’s shares how the best businesses often come from deeply personal pain points—and how innovation can be rooted in empathy.

#071 - In this dynamic episode of the Townrootz Podcast, hosts Anthony Wilson and Vincent Hayes sit down with Myeshia Jefferson, a powerhouse entrepreneur, marketing concierge, and specialist in medical-focused nail care. From her bestselling book to her innovative ventures into the metaverse, Myeshia shares actionable strategies and personal insights on how entrepreneurs can build solid foundations, find their niche, and thrive in the ever-changing landscape of small business. She covers: Myeshia’s journey into the world of health and beauty wasn’t just about passion—it was deeply personal. After witnessing the tragic loss of her grandfather due to complications from a diabetic foot wound, she became determined to provide specialized care for those with medical needs. This purpose-driven mission eventually led her to become a certified medical manicurist, educator, and business consultant. “My grandfather died… he was a diabetic and had a cut on the bottom of his foot he didn’t feel. That experience made me realize how important proper foot care is—and how dangerous it can be without it.” Myeshia’s journey into health, beauty, and marketing wasn’t just a career move—it was a mission to restore confidence. One of the most striking takeaways from the conversation was how she merges her deep marketing knowledge with a passion for helping others feel seen and celebrated. Whether she’s guiding a brand or advising on self-care, her approach is rooted in authenticity.

#070 - In this episode of the Townrootz Podcast, hosts Anthony Wilson and Vincent Hayes sit down with Gloria Kamil, the founder of Total Fitness Transformation. Gloria shares her journey of building a thriving fitness business in Oakland, her unique approach to weight management and body image, and how her work helps clients achieve long-term health and emotional balance. Gloria’s expertise as a personal trainer, mat Pilates instructor, weight management and behavior specialist, and mind and body eating coach gives her a holistic approach to helping her clients feel strong, healthy, and confident. Total Fitness Transformation is a boutique-style fitness studio in Oakland, California, that focuses on empowering women through a combination of personal training, group fitness classes, and mind-body coaching. Gloria's program goes beyond traditional fitness – she helps clients with emotional eating, body image challenges, and sustainable health habits. With over 23 years in the industry, Gloria provides a supportive, safe environment where clients can build strength, release weight (not just lose it), and develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies. Gloria opens up about how the pandemic motivated her to deepen her work, particularly in supporting the health of the Black and Brown communities. Hear how Gloria reframes “weight loss” as “weight release” – and why that shift matters. Discover the key to sustaining fitness results and why quick fixes don’t work. Learn why body image is a big challenge for women – and how Gloria helps her clients feel strong and confident.

#069 - In this powerful episode, Anthony and Vincent sit down with Breezy & Bobbi, the inspiring sister duo behind *We Heal Different*, a dance studio and healing space in Richmond, CA. Breezy & Bobbi share their incredible journey of creating a community-centered space focused on dance, sisterhood, and healing. They discuss how their studio empowers women to reconnect with their bodies and reclaim their sensuality through movement, pole, and twerk classes — all grounded in the principles of self-love, empowerment, and healing. We Heal Different provides a range of movement-based classes, including pole dancing, twerking, belly dance fusion, and stretch sessions, all designed to help women reconnect with their bodies and heal through movement. They also offer holistic experiences such as sister circles, trauma release ceremonies, and community events to foster emotional healing and support. In addition to dance, the studio provides massage therapy, Pilates (coming soon), and birth justice work, creating a safe and sacred space for women to reclaim their sensuality and strength in a supportive, community-driven environment. A takeaway for us was how Breezy & Bobbi emphasize that healing is not a linear process — it’s relational and deeply connected to community and movement. They highlight that many women carry trauma and disconnection from their bodies due to societal pressures, past experiences, and internalized shame. Through their classes and sister circles, Breezy & Bobbi create a space where women can feel safe to release emotional tension, reconnect with their sensuality, and build authentic relationships with others. Their approach challenges the idea that healing happens in isolation, instead showing that true healing comes through shared experiences, trust, and collective support.

#068 - Our discussion with Arturto was so inspiring and really went in 2 directions. In episode 67, he talks about his journey of starting Centro and we brought in a Centro entrepreneur, Annie Wang from Little Moon Bakehouse. In this episode, Arturo shares his journey as a social entrepreneur, providing wisdom from his experiences founding Centro, and writing his book *In Pursuit of a Noble Cause*. Arturo’s work centers on uplifting low-income and marginalized communities through innovative tools and social impact initiatives. Arturo Noriega penned “In Pursuit of a Noble Cause” to support social entrepreneurs looking to start a social enterprise. It will also resonate with professors who teach principles of social entrepreneurship. “I have read several books on nonprofit management, nonprofit leadership, and some tools, but they didn't necessarily hit home for me. I think what was missing is really the pain of starting a nonprofit or a social enterprise. It requires a lot of perseverance. It's a book really written about waking people up to our industry, the economic development industry, the struggle of women entrepreneurs in particular, and people of color, and my personal struggles.” Arturo highlighted the rapid growth in the number of people of color leading nonprofit organizations. He emphasized that these leaders require support due to their unique leadership styles, which are often rooted in their cultural norms and understanding. Implicit bias can be a significant barrier to success for leaders of color, and it can negatively impact both their direction and overall achievements. Arturo discussed the challenges with writing the book as a new author and while recovering from long COVID and also having dyslexia. It’s a lot so we split it into 2 episodes.

#067 - Today we are joined by 2 guests: Arturo Noriega, Founder and CEO of Centro Community Partners and Annie Wang, owner of Little Moon Bakehouse. Arturo shares his journey of starting Centro to help entrepreneurs in underserved communities, particularly women and immigrants, build successful businesses. Annie discusses her path to launching Little Moon Bakehouse, a vegan, eco-conscious bakery. Together, they explore the roles of community support, sustainable practices, and the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Centro Community Partners provides business training, financial literacy, access to capital, and 1:1 business coaching for success. Arturo says… “We cater to how we can help you create an idea that is profitable… We listen to you… We will never judge your idea.” Arturo shared that approximately 80% of the entrepreneurs Centro has supported since its inception have been women. When asked why, he said he believes women are more likely to seek help & training and have a desire to work and build community with other entrepreneurs to create a system of support as they embark upon their path to financial freedom. Little Moon Bakehouse is a Centro company. Annie started Little Moon Bakehouse to make sustainable Asian pastries by lessening the environmental impact of food production. … “everything is vegan, and we use compostable packaging.” Eliminating animal products from food production can have a significantly positive environmental impact. Since many baked goods rely heavily on animal products such as eggs and milk, Annie faced an uphill battle that required reimagining baked pastries. Arturo and Annie both underscore the importance of community support, intentional values, and perseverance in building impactful businesses. Whether it’s providing resources for underserved entrepreneurs or creating climate-friendly bakery items, both guests demonstrate the power of purpose-driven work in our Oakland community.

#066 - Today our guest is Ayodele Kinchen, a gifted and self taught artist, designer, and visionary. With a keen eye and talent for design, she finds joy creating wearable art that transforms the everyday woman into a Queen, and aims to design pieces that heal, encourage, honor, and beautify the mind, body, and spirit. Her business started by making things for herself - handmade goods like jewelry, home decor, clothing, and handbags. People started asking, “Hey, where'd you get that from?” So she started making stuff for other people. But, when she started making waist beads, her business exploded. “I have been wearing them since I was a child. I knew and understood the traditional practice of wearing them so I felt if I decided to actually make them for others, I can equip people with additional knowledge and context behind why they're worn. So I felt really good about adding that to my collection of goods, however, once I added that as a collection of items that I would include under my business name, it took off like crazy. And it's basically, it took over my entire business making handbags and jewelry and everything else.” We thought we were talking to an artist, but found out we were talking to a culture keeper, a change maker, a healer, and a counselor. Ayodele’s customers love her, evident by the repeat bookings for private parties. But, the best compliments have come from the women who told her she literally changed their lives, one actually calling her a healer. Be sure to listen to the whole interview to hear how Ayodele bet on herself - leaving her full time 9 to 5 while pregnant with her 3rd child and never looking back.

#065 - Today we talk to Carol F Burton, Founder of The Jeweld Legacy Group, a nonprofit consultancy based here in Oakland. The company is named after mother - Jewel. After a career in nonprofit management Carol saw an opportunity to work with nonprofits and public systems to provide support, technical assistance, resources, and show them how to partner in much more efficient ways to create more self-sufficiency. “so that at the end of the day, our communities would look a little different, that our communities would have what they needed to do for themselves and they were not reliant on governmental agencies. And so that requires community-based organizations and grassroots organizations and faith-based organizations, advocacy organizations, and it requires the government, which is our cities and counties, to work better together so that our folks are doing better and they have the resources that they need.” In addition to consulting with nonprofit organizations, The Jeweld Legacy Group does executive coaching, strategic planning, and they host and plan meetings around the intersection of homelessness, public safety, mental illness, substance use, incarceration and any of the other issues that impact African-American communities. Be sure to listen to the whole interview to hear Carol talk about how using an executive coach is akin to using a coach in an athletic competition.

#064 - Today we talk to Toshia Christal who does not sleep - she is an artist, jewelry maker, painter, photographer, and licensed cosmetologist - a true Renaissance Woman. She is a creative person at heart and cannot be reduced to any one medium. She has a brick and mortar space at 2911 Fruitvale Ave to display all of her creative works. Toshia was crafty as a child, but she always thought of them as hobbies. When she was injured on her job in 2008, she decided she did not want to go back to a job she did not like. It was time to turn those hobbies into a business. “I was like, these hobbies are sustainable, right? These hobbies are my business. And so being at that disabled moment, I took the opportunity to realize that I didn't wanna go back to the job that I was at. It was not fulfilling for me. And let me take the opportunity to officially go to school, get my cosmetology license, and become licensed. And that's kind of how it all started rolling. Yeah, I always knew that I didn't wanna work for the man - a nine to five system that did not really feed my soul. So it was the perfect segue into entrepreneurship.” As an Oakland native, Toshia is proud to be an Oakland small business owner. She credits a number of grassroots organizations like Womens’ Initiative, Akoma, Black Cultural Zone, and Kiva for helping her get her start. Be sure to listen to the whole interview to hear Toshia talk about why confidence is so key to being an entrepreneur.

#063 - Today we talk to Destiny Muhammad, AKA The Harpist From The Hood. Destiny has an inspiring story. She grew up a military kid, but when her parents divorced, her mother moved with three little girls to Compton, CA. An episode of I Love Lucy inspired young Destiny to play the harp, but that was not seen as a practical choice for a family navigating the welfare system. After graduating from high school Destiny became a barber, opening up a shop near the projects where she grew up, but then she got re-introduced to the harp. “And for you barbers out there, you know, barbering is lucrative - LUCRATIVE. So I'm doing well and thinking this is what I'm going to do. In about 1991, I started dating a man whose best friend is a harp builder in a little town not too far from here called San Juan Batista. And in 1992, I got my first harp at the age of 30 and I started studying and eventually, I knew that I had had this dream and it was being brought back to me.” She started taking lessons as a 30 yr old adult, playing next to children. She moved to Oakland from LA in 1997 and began playing farmers markets to gain confidence and that is where she found her name by starting a session with… “Jack London Farmers Market needs every Sunday rain or shine from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and my name is Destiny Muhammad, and I'm your friendly neighborhood Harpist From The Hood, letting you know it is all good - here at the Jack London Farmers Market. People laughed, I mean, so it stuck.” Stick around until the end to hear how an “inner message from God” about 6-7 months before the pandemic hit, made her start preparing before the shutdown.

#062 - Today we talk to Charmeng Robinson, a local artist who creates handcrafted original pieces that connect with nature. Charmeng’s pieces include acrylic paintings on canvas, timekeeper, clocks, handcrafted jewelry, coaster, dominoes, and more. Though her late father painted, Charmeng did not take it up until 2020. She taught herself via online tutorials and then lots of practice. “I started taking some tutorials on Facebook and I met a young lady that was doing the painting. I was just admiring it and was like, ooh, I could do some of that for my family friends. And that was as far as my brain took it at that time. So I started taking notes on what to do, how to learn, how to mix the paint.” At the beginning, Charmeng was uncomfortable calling herself an artist, but she gained confidence after her cousin displayed her art in his San Francisco barber shop, Gifted Crowns, and she started having success at pop-ups. That led to several commissions including Sweet Fingers Jamaican restaurant in Oakland, the Oakland Roots, and becoming the sole vendor at the new Lululemon store in downtown Oakland. Stick around til the end to hear about how Charmeng got hooked up with the Oakland Roots.

#061 - Today we talk to Derreck Johnson, Founder of the nonprofit The Black Owned Project 365, which runs the Lifeline Culinary On The Job Training Program, a fully certified apprenticeship program that trains and mentors recently incarcerated individuals so they can have careers in the restaurant industry. The idea came to him while standing on the steps of the capital while his cousin, Kamala Harris, was being sworn in as Vice President. But, this would not be his first rodeo. He had experience with this population, hiring his first recently released individual back when he had an auto-detailing business, one of his early entrepreneurial ventures. He found himself short-handed one day when the rain cleared up and a bunch of cars started showing up. “I don't wanna turn this money away. And one of the guys there was like, well, I can call the house and have some of my brothers come down. I said, okay, please get them now. I'm just thinking he's calling his actual house. And his brothers were actually coming to work, but he was living in a halfway house.” “they came in and they started working and I was like, hey, can you all come back tomorrow?” Derreck ran his first pilot this fall. He teaches them that the restaurant business requires hard work and you have to be consistent to be successful. He believes one of the secret sauces of his program is access to him. He works alongside them and does not give up on them if they stumble. “I feel it does because they have a direct connection with someone that they would never have a direct connection with. Usually when they get into employment, you would not meet the boss. You wouldn't meet the person that's running the restaurant.” Derreck still enjoys running his landmark Home of Chicken & Waffle restaurant in Jack London. It is “must stop” for politicians and celebrities coming through Oakland. Stick around til the end to hear about all the famous people who have visited the restaurant.